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Court remands alleged drug kingpin Temo
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A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday, remanded an alleged Lagos-based drug baron, Jimoh Sulaimon, popularly called Temo, in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), after he was arraignment by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Jimoh, also known as Olowoidigede, Godfather and 001, was arraigned before Justice Deinde Dipeolu on an amended six-count charge for being a member of a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO): import, trafficking and dealing in 704 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa (Ghana Loud); concealment of illicit funds.
The prosecutor, Lambert Nor, Deputy Command and Head of Legal Department, Lagos Command of NDLEA, told the court the Temo and four others namely, Ojo Emmanuel; Wasiu Olayinka saliu; Taofeek Noah and one Kazeem, all said to be at large, belong to the Drug Trafficking Organisation, which they run between Nigeria and Ghana.
He also told the court that the accused disguised the true source of proceeds of illicit dealing in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
He told the court that the defendant’s alleged criminal acts contravene sections 20(1)(g); 14(b); 18(a); 20(i); 11(b) and 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Temo also known as Olowoidigede and Godfather denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Based on his plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Lambert informed the court that he has four witnesses in court to testify against the drug kingpin.
He also asked the court to remand the defendant till the determination of the charges against him.
However, the drug kingpin lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, a former staff member of NDLEA, accused the anti-narcotic agency of media trial even before charging his client.
He informed the court that the defendant’s bail application had been filed but would be moved at a later date.
The defence counsel in his further submission, while admitting being served with proof of evidence, said in line with Section 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, he would be asking for daily trial.
Consequently, the prosecutor was ordered to call in his witnesses.
At the resumption of trial yesterday, Nor called four prosecution witnesses, who are mainly exhibits keepers and forensic experts with each of them giving evidence on the role they played in the case and also tendered several exhibits which were admitted in evidence without objection from the defence counsel.
The exhibits tendered and admitted at the sitting included 19 jute bags all weighing 704 kilograms of cannabis sativa, a Camry car, two phones,a fiat truck among others.
The first prosecution witness, Mr Moses Dogo Eldah, an exhibit keeper with the NDLEA Central Exhibits Unit, narrated how on October 13, 2020 another exhibit keeper attached to the agency’s Directorate of General Investigation Unit, J.E Jakyang, transferred some exhibits with substances suspected to be weed (cannabis Sativa) weighing 704 kilograms to him.
He also stated that a fiat truck, Siena car, a Toyota Camry car and two phones were also transferred to him.
According to the witness, the bulk of the exhibits were also transferred to him which he kept in the agency strong room.
The prosecutor then tendered the exhibits and all were admitted.
Cross examining the witness, counsel to the defendant, Chief Benson Ndakara asked if the witness know how the 19 bags containing the bulk of the marijuana were recovered, and the witness said no.
The witness also admitted that he did not know how the truck and cars were recovered and that this would be the second time he would see the defendant.
Other three witnesses also narrated the role they played in the case.
Consequently, Justice Dipeolu adjourned till October 2 and 4 for continuation of trial.
The judge also ordered that the drug kingpin be remanded in the NCoS’ custody till next adjourned date.
The Amended charge against the defendant reads: “That you Jimoh Sulaimon Olowoogede, a.k.a “Godfather” “001°, “Temo” (m) adult (being the Kingpin) and Ojo Emmanuel (M), Wasiu Olayinka saliu (M), Taofeek , Noah (M) and Kazeem (M) (all at large) being members of a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) between 2020 and 2024 without lawful authority and within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court engaged in financing Drug Trafficking and thereby committed an offence as provided for in section 20 (1) (g) of the NDLEA Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 20(2) (b) of the same Act.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a “Godfather” “001”, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) between 2020 and 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired with Ojo Emmanuel (M), Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), Taofeek Noah (M) And Kazeem (M) (all at large) to import, process, traffick and otherwise deal in Cannabis Sativa (Ghana Loud) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin & LSD using Managers, Couriers and Associates and thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 14 (b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a “Godfather” “001”, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) conspired with Ojo Emmanuel (M) Adult, Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M) adult, Taofeek Noah (M) adult And Kazeem (M) ADULT (all at large) between 2020 and 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court to convert proceeds of illicit’ trafficking im Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substances into ostensible legitimate enterprises end thereby committed an offence as provided under section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under section 18(3) and (7) of the same Act.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.ka. “Godfather” “001°, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) and Ojo Emmanuel (M), Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), Taofeek Noah (M) and Kazeem (M) (all at large) between 2020 and 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority engaged in the concealment and disguise of the true source of proceeds of illicit dealing in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances to wit: Cannabis Sativa (Ghana Loud) and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 20(ii) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a “GODFATHER” “001”, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) and Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), now at large on or about the Ilm day of November, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority trafficked in 704 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (“Ghana Loud”) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD from Ghana to Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a. “Godfather”, “001”, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) and Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), now at large on or about the in day of November, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority dealt in 704 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (“Ghana Loud”) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD from Ghana to Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has welcomed the birth of a baby girl with his wife, Olori Oluwatosin Ogunwusi.
This is contained in a statement on Sunday in Ile-Ife by the Ooni’s Senior Media Officer, Mr Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mr Moses Olafare.
Olafere expressed gratitude to God for the safe delivery, describing the newborn as a divine blessing to the House of Oduduwa.
According to him, the Ooni thanked Almighty Olodumare for His grace and faithfulness, which made the successful delivery possible.
“The Royal Father prayed that the newborn princess will grow in wisdom, grace, honour and divine favour throughout her lifetime.”
He added that both Olori Oluwatosin and the baby princess were in excellent health.
He quoted the Ooni as further praying for God’s continued protection over the royal family and for enduring peace, prosperity and abundant grace for the House of Oduduwa.
The Ooni wished the newborn princess a purposeful, honourable and fulfilled life under God’s guidance.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Diket Plang, has said the 10th Senate has processed more than 1,000 bills in its first three years in office, with over 200 already signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
Plang, who represents Plateau Central Senatorial District, said the upper chamber had also adopted several resolutions through motions and carried out extensive oversight of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), describing the period as one of the most productive in Nigeria’s legislative history.
Speaking in an interview to mark the third anniversary of the 10th Senate, the lawmaker said the chamber’s committee system had also enabled lawmakers to closely monitor government performance and budget implementation.
“At the moment, the Senate has had over 1,000 bills. About 900 have passed either second or third reading, and we have over 200 bills that have been signed into law,” he said.
“So, for me, there is a lot of achievement in terms of making laws. We have had very important motions with beautiful resolutions and sufficient oversight functions as far as the first three years of the Senate are concerned.”
“Each of the ministries, departments and agencies brings its proposals during budget defence, and you go back to find out what has been achieved and what has not been achieved. It helps us know what government has been able to do,” he said.
On the recently passed State Police Bill, Plang commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting what he described as one of Nigeria’s most difficult but necessary constitutional reforms.
He argued that creating state police would strengthen intelligence gathering because officers recruited from local communities understand the language, culture and terrain better than officers deployed from other parts of the country.
“The locals know the language, they know the terrain, they know the culture of where they are policing. Information gathering and rapid response to criminality will improve significantly,” he said.
The senator also dismissed fears that governors would abuse state police, insisting that constitutional safeguards and oversight by the National Police Council, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly would prevent excesses.
“No governor will employ people from his community and ask them to oppress their own people. There are oversight mechanisms that will check abuse,” he said.
He explained that although the bill had passed both chambers of the National Assembly, it still requires approval by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted to the President for assent as part of the constitutional amendment process.
Plang added that the reform would improve Nigeria’s police-to-population ratio through fresh recruitment across the states while creating employment opportunities for thousands of young Nigerians.
Commenting on the recent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, Plang urged both governments to pursue diplomacy rather than retaliation.
He said, “It is unfortunate that brothers are turning against one another. There should be immediate engagement between the Nigerian and South African governments. Rather than retaliation, both countries should sit down and resolve these issues as brothers.”
Member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. (Revd.) Francis Ejiroghene Waive, has said President Bola Tinubu’s recent remarks cautioning state governments against constructing unnecessary flyovers were not directed at Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
Waive, in a statement, argued that the flyovers completed and those under construction in Delta State were necessitated by persistent traffic congestion in their respective locations, adding that the projects were undertaken after due consideration of the state’s infrastructure needs.
According to him, the Federal Government had, on several occasions, acknowledged Delta State’s strides in road infrastructure and flyover construction, alongside other developmental achievements, before similar projects gained momentum in other states.
He maintained that Governor Oborevwori had pursued infrastructure development without neglecting key sectors of the state’s economy, insisting that the administration had continued to invest in roads, bridges, healthcare, education and social welfare programmes.
“The flyovers constructed and those currently under construction by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori are absolutely necessary. Deltans can testify that they are all located in areas where severe traffic gridlock is a regular occurrence,” Waive said.
The lawmaker dismissed criticisms of the projects by opposition figures, describing them as politically motivated and disconnected from the realities on the ground.
He expressed confidence that the governor’s performance would earn him another term in office, saying residents of the state remained committed to the continuation of the administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda in synergy with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Waive urged Governor Oborevwori to sustain the pace of infrastructure development through the construction of more roads, bridges and flyovers, while expanding social investment programmes aimed at improving the welfare of the people.
He also congratulated the governor in advance on what he described as his expected victory in the 2027 governorship election, expressing optimism that the administration would continue to deliver democratic dividends across the state.
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